WWE Raw's The Miz talks competition in the ring and becoming a recent fan favorite

Michael Gregory Mizanin, better known as pro-wrestler The Miz, made a name for himself as a cast member of 2001's The Real World: Back to New York. But in the cade since then, the actor, TV host and professional wrestler has appeared on dozens of television shows and made a name for himself in the ring.

In advance of his stop in Broomfield this Saturday, March 9, with the WWE Raw World Tour: Road to Wrestlemania, we caught up with the Miz to talk about his love of fans and what he likes best about being a WWE wrestler.

Westword: What are you most excited about on this particular WWE tour?

The Miz: This event is larger than life -- people will take away memories that will last a lifetime. I can't wait to get my hands on CM Punk, which I think a lot of people want. People want someone to shut him up, and I think I'm the exact man to do it. Not only that match, but we also have John Cena, Sheamus and Ryback versus The Shield. This card is jam-packed. If you're looking for something to do on a Saturday night, there's nothing like a WWE live event.

For someone who's never seen a live wrestling match, what can the audience expect?

Basically, the WWE is good versus evil. You have a good guy and you have a bad guy -- but we put it in an audience setting. The audience can interact with what's going on in the ring; they boo who they hate and cheer who they love. It's a soap opera-like storyline that's funny, it's dramatic, it's action, it's all of the above encapsulated in one event.

If you've ever been to a rock concert/comedy show/improv event/drama, you're going to see all of those combined into one. It is an incredible night that I guarantee, if you've never been to a WWE event, you'll have memories that last a lifetime.

It seems like all of the components of a WWE show that you've talked about are things you've done in your career, as an actor and TV personality. What do you like best about wrestling?

I love the fact that I get to travel all over the world -- I've gone everywhere all over America. I've been to China, Mexico, Europe and Australia. I've gotten to see the world through the WWE. Not only that, when I come out onto the stage, I get to hear the reaction of the crowd. Let me tell you something: You might not know this, but a few months ago, people were booing me. They were telling me I sucked and they hated me. But now, they're embracing me. It's a whole newfound glory and I'm loving every second of it.

I've always been the kind of person -- whatever you give me, I'll give you right back. If you boo me, I'll boo you right back. If you cheer me, I'll embrace it and use it.

Whether I'm doing my talk show, Miz TV, or if I'm in a WWE match, I'll take the energy given to me and use it to hopefully be victorious.

Other than wrestling for the WWE and your talk show, are you working on anything else at the moment?

The Marine 3: Homefront just came out. It's basically me playing a Marine whose sister gets kidnapped by a militia group and I have to come out and save the day -- do I? I don't know, you'll have to buy the movie and find out.

The Miz throws down this Saturday, March 9, at 1STBank Center. Doors at 6:30 p.m.; show starts at 7:30. Tickets are $15 to $100 and can be purchased via the venue's website or by calling 303-410-8497.